Scream VI Tops Oscars Weekend Raking in $44.5M

According to studio estimates, “Scream VI” had the best Oscar weekend in theatres, grossing a franchise-high $44.5 million in domestic ticket sales.

The co-production between Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group easily outperformed expectations, grossing $32 million more than the previous series high of $32 million set by “Scream 2” in 1997. The film’s strong opening, which came as Hollywood prepared for the 95th Academy Awards, was another reminder of how horror has become one of the industry’s few sure bets at the box office.

The “Scream” franchise, previously directed by Wes Craven and distributed by Dimension Films, has found a ripe revival with a young cast led by “Wednesday” stars Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett have returned the meta-slasher storylines and serial killer Ghostface from the 27-year-old series, which is paying off. Last year’s “Scream V” grossed $137 million worldwide on a $24 million production budget. Courtney Cox reprises her role as reporter Gale Weathers in the latest installment, as does Hayden Panettiere, a veteran of “Scream IV.” However, it is the first “Scream” film without Neve Campbell.

“Scream VI,” quickly greenlit following the success of “V,” has also done well with critics and audiences.

It has a 75% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It received a “B+” CinemaScore, which is a respectable rating for a horror film. The sixth “Scream,” which cost $33 million to produce, brought in an additional $22.6 million overseas.

“Creed III,” last week’s top film, fell to second after an above-expectations debut. MGM’s “Rocky” spinoff starring Michael B. Jordan and Jonathan Majors earned $27.1 million in its second weekend. It has quickly surpassed US and Canadian theatres‘ $100 million mark.

“65,” a science-fiction thriller starring Adam Driver as a space explorer stranded on prehistoric Earth, debuted in third place with an estimated $12.3 million from 3,405 locations and an additional $7.2 million worldwide. That could be better than expected for a film that received negative reviews from critics. (On Rotten Tomatoes, it received only 35% fresh.) However, “65” reportedly had a $90 million production budget, though tax breaks cut that cost in half for financiers such as Sony, Bron Studios, and TSG.

“Champions,” directed by Bobby Farrelly and starring Woody Harrelson as a disgraced coach attempting to lead a basketball team to the Special Olympics, grossed $5.2 million in 3,030 theatres. Audiences (with an “A” CinemaScore) rated it higher than critics (53% on Rotten Tomatoes).

Comscore estimates ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at US and Canadian theatres.

1. “Scream VI,” $44.5 million.

2. “Creed III,” $27.1 million.

3. “65,” $12.3 million.

4. “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” $7 million.

5. “Cocaine Bear,” $6.2 million.

6. “Jesus Revolution,” $5.2 million.

7. “Champions,” $5.2 million.

8. “Avatar: The Way of Water,” $2.7 million.

9. “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: To the Swords,” $1.9 million.

10. “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” $1.7 million.